Last Updated
April 16, 2025Written By
Cynthia Harris, M.S., CCC‑SLPSeveral ASHA-accredited SLP programs are hosted by Tennessee, each having their own particular emphasis. In Johnson City, East Tennessee State University offers an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, with an emphasis on clinical practice and research. The University of Memphis has a rather comprehensive program with very strong clinical training components. The University of Tennessee – Health Science Center in Memphis is especially strong in research and clinical practice; Vanderbilt, a very prestigious institution, has a highly regarded speech pathology program with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. Tennessee State University in Nashville offers a Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Science with an emphasis on SLP, and has a particular emphasis on diversity and inclusivity.
The state’s appeal is in the job outlook, the BLS expects speech-language pathologist positions to grow by 29% from 2020-2030, which is significantly higher than that of other occupations (BLS Outlook). According to BLS OES Data, the average annual salary in Tennessee is $73,260, which is slightly lower than the national median salary of $89,290. Career opportunities for SLPs in Tennessee are also boosted by the state’s location, as well as its focus on early intervention programs, especially those offered by the Department of Health.
Looking for the best speech pathology programs in Tennessee? peechpathology.org ranks top speech-language pathology degrees to help you choose the best one for you. Our list highlights programs known for quality, research, and clinical training. We focus on what matters to students and professionals in Tennessee. Learn how we rank schools at speechpathology.org/rankings-methology.
Clarksville, TN - Public 4-Year - apsu.edu
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Austin Peay State University offers a Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) degree. This two-year program spans five semesters, including one summer. It requires a bachelor's degree and pre-professional coursework. The program combines rigorous coursework with hands-on clinical training. Students learn on campus for the first year and a half. The final semester uses a hybrid format with online and in-person elements. Graduates meet ASHA certification standards. They may qualify for Tennessee state licensure. The program prepares students for clinical fellowships and professional practice.
Nashville, TN - Private 4-year - vanderbilt.edu
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Vanderbilt University offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program that prepares students for certification as speech-language pathologists. This full-time program takes 5-6 semesters to complete, with new classes starting each fall. The curriculum includes hands-on clinical training beginning in the first semester, with opportunities to customize your degree through specialty tracks, electives, and optional research thesis. The program requires no prior academic background in SLP and offers diverse clinical experiences in partner hospitals, clinics, and schools. Admissions requirements, tuition costs, and financial aid options are available through the program's admissions information.
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Vanderbilt University offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP), a 2-year full-time program with 5-6 semesters. No prior SLP background is required. The program includes hands-on clinical training starting in the first semester across hospitals, clinics, and schools. Students can customize their degree through specialty tracks, electives, and an optional research thesis. Tuition costs and financial aid options are available. Admissions require meeting specific requirements with a fall start. The program boasts a 100% Praxis exam pass rate and 100% employment within one year of graduation.
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Vanderbilt University offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program. This full-time, 2-year program requires 5-6 semesters to complete. No prior academic background in SLP is needed. The program includes hands-on clinical training starting in the first semester at partner hospitals, clinics, and schools. Students can customize their degree through specialty tracks, electives, and optional research. The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation. Admissions requirements and tuition costs are detailed on the program website. The program has high outcomes including 100% Praxis exam pass rates and employment rates.
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Vanderbilt University's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.-SLP) program is a comprehensive, accredited program designed for aspiring speech-language pathologists. Located in Nashville, TN, this campus-based program spans 20 to 24 months, offering academic and clinical education that exceeds ASHA standards. Students gain hands-on experience in diverse clinical settings, including hospitals and specialized centers. The curriculum includes optional specialty tracks and research opportunities. Applicants need strong GRE scores and a background in related fields. The program prepares graduates for certification and diverse career paths in speech-language pathology.
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Vanderbilt University's Ph.D. in Hearing and Speech Sciences with a concentration in Speech-Language Pathology prepares students for research and teaching careers in communication sciences and disorders. The program integrates doctoral education with faculty research, requiring 72 graduate credit hours, with up to 24 transferable from a master's degree. Students complete two research projects, a teaching practicum, and tailored coursework before advancing to dissertation work. The program fosters collaborations across departments, enhancing research opportunities. Graduates often present at national conferences and publish in leading journals, securing faculty positions worldwide. Financial support is available, making this program a top choice for aspiring scholars.
Murfreesboro, TN - Public 4-Year - mtsu.edu
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Middle Tennessee State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, preparing students for graduate studies in these fields. This program focuses on diagnosing and treating speech and hearing disorders, offering a solid foundation for future professionals. Students gain hands-on experience in the university's clinic, working under certified professionals. The curriculum covers communication development, disorder diagnosis, and intervention methods. This program is ideal for those aiming to become speech-language pathologists or audiologists, requiring further graduate study for certification.
Knoxville, TN - Public 4-Year - utk.edu
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The University of Tennessee-Knoxville offers a Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech Pathology, a joint program with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. This program prepares students for graduate work in speech pathology or audiology, requiring 120 credit hours over four years. Students complete the first three years at UTK and the final year through UTHSC, all on the Knoxville campus. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA and completion of specific courses. The program emphasizes the scientific study of human communication sciences and disorders, laying the foundation for professional certification and employment in the field.
Johnson City, TN - Public 4-Year - etsu.edu
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East Tennessee State University offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. This two-year full-time program prepares students to diagnose and treat communication disorders across all age groups. The curriculum covers neurological communication bases, language disorders, and motor functions. Students gain hands-on clinical experience in diverse settings. The program admits about 35 students yearly with a February 1 application deadline. Graduates can work in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, and private practice. The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
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East Tennessee State University offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. This two-year full-time program prepares students to diagnose and treat communication disorders in children and adults. The curriculum covers neurological bases of communication, language disorders, and motor functions. Students gain hands-on experience in diverse clinical settings. The program admits about 35 students yearly. It requires an application deadline of February 1. Graduates can work in clinical, pediatric, geriatric, school-based, hospital, rehabilitation, private practice, home health, hospice, or public health settings. The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. It has high completion rates and Praxis exam pass rates. The program is part of ETSU's Academic Health Sciences Center.
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East Tennessee State University offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, a two-year full-time residential program. The program admits 35 students yearly with a February 1 application deadline. Students learn to diagnose and treat communicative disorders in children and adults through coursework covering neurological bases of communication, language disorders, and motor functions. Clinical training occurs in diverse settings including hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation centers. The program prepares graduates for careers in pediatric, geriatric, clinical, and school-based speech-language pathology. The curriculum includes hands-on clinical experience and research opportunities. The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Graduates achieve high completion rates and Praxis exam pass rates.
Nashville, TN - Private 4-year - lipscomb.edu
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Lipscomb University's Communication Sciences and Disorders program addresses critical healthcare workforce needs by preparing students for impactful careers in speech-language pathology. This innovative undergraduate degree provides comprehensive training with coursework spanning pediatric, geriatric, neurological, and educational practice. Students gain practical experience through 100 clinical hours, positioning them to become Speech-Language Pathology Assistants or pursue advanced degrees. With strong employment projections and an average annual salary of $52,000, graduates can make meaningful differences in individuals' communication abilities across diverse settings.
Nashville, TN - Public 4-Year - tnstate.edu
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Tennessee State University offers a Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Science with a concentration in Speech-Language Pathology. This graduate program prepares students for clinical practice in communication disorders. The curriculum includes prerequisite courses in anatomy, phonetics, and language development. Applicants must complete 15 hours of prerequisite coursework before applying. The program has two delivery modes: traditional on-campus and distance education options. Admission requires submission through the CSDCAS application system. The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation. It meets ASHA certification requirements for speech-language pathologists. Students gain clinical experience through university clinics. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice and professional development.
Memphis, TN - Public 4-Year - uthsc.edu
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The BS in Audiology and Speech Pathology at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center offers a comprehensive undergraduate program focusing on human communication sciences and disorders. This joint degree program, requiring 120 credit hours, prepares students for graduate studies and professional certification in speech, language, and hearing disorders. With a curriculum that blends general education and major-specific courses, students gain a solid foundation for future careers. Admission requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a grade of B or better in introductory courses. The program is campus-based in Knoxville, offering a collaborative learning environment with access to extensive resources and clinical experiences.
A bachelor’s degree in speech pathology is an excellent place to start, especially for those planning to become SLPAs or advance to other careers. It is a good starting ground for graduate studies and the career paths include special education or other related fields in communication disorders. For a bachelor’s degree, standard admission requirements include high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores.
With a bachelor’s degree, you can work as a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA) or in other supporting roles where you can expect to earn around $22/hour when you are first starting out and work up to $30/hour or more as you gain experience.
A master’s degree in speech-language pathology is necessary for licensure as an SLP, which entails more in-depth training in assessing and treating communication disorders. It enables one to work in various environments including as school SPLs, medical SPLs or in your own practice. For example, ETSU, UTHSC and Vanderbilt programs include clinical practicums and research to ensure students are ready for professional practice. For a master’s degree, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, a B or better GPA, possibly GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and clinical observation hours.
An SLP master’s degree allows the graduates to apply for the licensure as SLPs and start working in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers or in private practices. Typical salaries for speech-language pathologists in Tennessee average out to $73,260 per year, but can vary based on location and job title.
At the moment, Tennessee has no PhD in SLP or Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) programs. A PhD is a research degree, which is suitable for academic or research orientation, and an SLPD is a clinical degree for the advanced level of practice in the clinical setting.
A PhD is perfect for people who want to help grow the field through research and might end up being professors or researchers. The SLPD, however, is for the clinician who wants to specialize, to become a master clinician, or a clinical administrator. Since there are no such programs in Tennessee, students may have to go for nearby out-of-state universities, for instance, the University of Kansas, or online universities such as Loma Linda University.
Students can get doctoral degrees from neighboring states such as Kentucky or Georgia or can take online speech pathology courses that are approved by ASHA. The cost of tuition for such programs varies, with national averages for PhD programs ranging from $500-$800 per credit in-state and $800-$1,200 out-of-state, while SLPD programs online might range from $600-$900 per credit. Annual earnings for PhD graduates exceed $100,000 in academic positions, while SLPD graduates can earn similar amounts in high-level clinical positions depending on the region and practice time.
In Tennessee, the Board of Communication Disorders and Sciences licenses speech-language pathologists. This calls for a master’s or doctoral degree from an ASHA accredited program, a clinical practicum completed under supervision and postgraduate professional experience. The PRAXIS exam must also be passed, and the applicant should have no disciplinary actions taken against them. The total cost is $250, which includes a $150 application fee and a $100 licensure fee. A provisional license, good for up to 24 months and good for one renewal, helps those in training while working under a licensed SLP. It is renewed every two years and requires 20 continuing education hours and a $100 fee.
SLPAs must register through a supervising licensee at $50 for two years. It entails 60 semester credit hours and 100 supervised field hours, and the renewal is 20 CE hours and $50. ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) goes to speech pathologists, which requires an accredited speech pathology graduate program, the PRAXIS exam, and a clinical fellowship. Education is an ongoing process, which makes it more credible and improves employment opportunities. If SLPAs decide to go for it, they can take ASHA’s C-SLPA certification, which involves a degree, clinical hours, and an exam to boost their professional status.
The SLP programs in Tennessee provide a faster track to a speech pathology career, with the ability to reduce the time in certain ways. The time frame for a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders is four years for 120 credits, depending on the school. This can be brought down to three years by attending summer sessions or by coming in with advanced placement credits from high school. Senior year community college credits can also count towards this, but it is recommended that this is discussed with an advisor.
In the master’s category, East Tennessee State University has a two-year, 60 credit program that is four semesters of full time study which includes course work and clinical practice to prepare for SLP licensure. There are no combined bachelor’s-master’s programs in the state, which enable students to reduce the learning years. For those who want to fast track their education, there are also online master’s degrees from out of state schools such as the 20 month track offered by Emerson College, although the trade off is a higher price tag.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
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| Vanderbilt University |
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| East Tennessee State University |
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| Austin Peay State University |
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For in-state students, public universities offer the most affordable speech-language pathology degrees. East Tennessee State University has the rate of $488 per credit hour for graduate students which makes the total amount for a 60 credit SLP master’s degree program about $29,280, using their tuition rates. Tennessee State University has an annual in-state master’s degree program tuition fee of $11,092 which when accumulated for the two years is roughly $22,184.
These are compared with out-of-state or online alternatives and attending these public universities in person is cheaper since there are no additional technology fees and local clinical placements which do not involve travel costs. For instance, Vanderbilt University’s tuition stands at approximately $2,800 per credit hour, which would amount to $168,000 for the entire 60 credits, more than twice the in-state public universities’ charge. However, financial aid such as scholarships i.e. Freeman McConnell Scholarship at Vanderbilt can be helpful, but in-state tuition at ETSU and TSU is still the least expensive way to get your speech pathology education.
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
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| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville |
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| Vanderbilt University |
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| Austin Peay State University |
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